Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-11-24
r,rn prcuMoNn Observation-Disclosures, NOVEMBER d. 1887
eternal silence would be all that could

eternal silence NOu'N 10 "'' =,
be asked of the Departing sufferer.
But there is nothing evil which IS n9t
itself suggestive of oyerbalancing eood;
There can be no shadow unless the light
is beyond it, and the deeper the gloom
the more glorious the radiance 1t nudes
from the eyes which il wells Conilic's,
disappointmcnts, and seeming defeats
are but so many presooes OF the maj
victory after which the soul Is yearning,
and without which il cannot De satisfied.
Tho children of light will not accept the
darkness rs their final condition. Ihey
arc eyermorc struggling to rend the cur
tain that hides them from the opening
dav. and these aspirations are the promise
and pledge of the coming dawn. III Inc
blacklist midnight Hope with her eyes
toward the east sings inprophetic strains
of the coming cheer and Patience, born
as her handmade, stills the throb5ing
heart with her restraining ministries
The seeming is not the real. and ms Is
why we are called this day from woe ana
tears to JOY and praise. The visible IS
the transient the darkness is the bret
shadow the pam and miet are but 1or z
moment; the bereavement Is not final
pa,tinr the farewels of earth are only
the appotizlDg prelude to the greetings
that aro to come the conflict Is 70
sweotcn the triumph the toll and 4c}ri-
ness are TO heighten the JOY oi the
promised rest. The unseen are the
great realities. When all that now
crowds upon aud Oppressos the senses
shall be rolled together a. scroll, ana
laid aside rs a WORKOUT vesWre, tEcn
the things that remain will be without
shadow, and the eyes foreycrmore D'
undimmed with tears.
Thanksgiving IS the perpetual refrain
of the heavenly music, and all Who
amid the sorrows and conflicts OF earth
are reaching out after the higher life
ought to accustom their lips while
here TO the song OF praise. There is NO
night which has not its overinu1ln
stars. II the cloud hides them they are
/ looking down no less with Their myriad
loving eyes. Tie tears which dim our
vision need not shut out from our long
inc hearts the heavenly glorics thai walt
10 cheer rs. And if we accept the min
istry and begin the song they sing MP ON
the other shore VIC shall soon lean the
secret of their joy.
The music OF Heaven Is an antidotc
[ for all the grie9s OF earth Open the
lips in deyout praise, and the heart vii
soon be filed with the glad sunshine OF
a newborn peace. 1t IS both DIVINE
promise and the natural inheritance OF
thankful spirit. The wall, the moan
the despalring cry, are like beasts o
prev, and they always dee from the
dawning light. The portals OF HeaYel
are ever opened to the asceudin}
song. and how changed is all the
landscape beneath tine streaming
radiance What seemed like crosse
are bat guide-posts to keep our fee
from straying. The figures which IN ta'
darkness appeared like meuoces OF e7i
are brought ont in the new hight as mes
sengers Of good the hands that IN tho
mist looked like ghostly skeletons grasp
ing for our treasures are seen to be tn'
channels of bounty filled Tor our need
By the side of the broken cisterns thai
Knocked our thirst We see the sdye
stream of living water flowing from the
smitten Rock. We are no longer Orphan'
in weary world, left to tread It's rou5i
WAYS alone, but children OF a loylns
Father watched over and provided 10
with tender care.
If any, like ourselves, have come t
this dav under the burden of erea
sorrow, we commend to them the secrc
which has been revealed TO us Ih
outpouring of the heart in Thankful
song will throw back the peaIly gate
until the supernGl glories Transform
what seemed like a barren wilderness
strewn with the relics OF blighted hope
into garden of Eden, where there Is
Divine fellowship through all the goldel
hours. And in this revealing light ih
whole of LIES history has new an
brighter meaning. That which wa
monrned so much has been only tn
dark background against which abound
inc mercies now show their radlal
forms that were hidden in the gloon
until every pulse is stirred and thrille
with the new-fOund Joy.
} ne lllhnhlul spun nus lO'o 10 "Ni'-
ness, and must share its comfort wit
others. Is there a stricken one 1t ca
reach with words of sympathy? Is an
family without warmth or cheer on tn
anniversary that comes alike to tn
homes Of plenty and the abodes Of po'
ertv and want The ministry TIN
brings peace and JOY to us, ii it Is sent
Heaven. is certain to make us ITS alm'
ners of bounty to the destitute and need.
And none are so empty Of heart
purse that they cannot do something
this glad season to brighten some oth'
lie. With this spirit in the heart, an
| in the hand this blessed agency TIN
, reaches ont to help and comfort other
, not one to whom we speak this day ca
fail of the blessing that springs from
devout THANKSGIVING.